Hey, to all you wonderful peoples out in the world! It's been quite a while since I've last updated this blog. Our team has been busy with the Hope Mountain project, Japanese school, and hosting two YWAM teams! One's from Queensland, New Zealand, and the other from Muizenberg, South Africa! So exciting to be having more guests in our sleepy town of Ayashi! Praying that more and more people will be drawn to Sendai!
Thank you to those who've already signed up to pray and fast for the depressed, isolated and suicidal in Japan. It's our greatest weapon against the dark powers that haunt Aokigahara forest and the world itself. If you wish to learn more about Hope Mountain and how you can help, here's a link:
If you'd like to sign up to pray and fast with us, please take a look at the commitment here:
Can't wait to see what God does this coming year! Please pray for hope and peace to be upon Japan and its citizens.
Fasting this past week has been an experience and a half. The gnawing feeling in the gut, the craving for substance and nourishment, and the numbed emotion and passion that comes from fasting. I wonder if that's how it feels to be spiritually starved from Jesus' presence. To be so hungry for something beyond your understanding, craving for the love and presence of the Almighty, and yet unable to be fully satisfied no matter what you do. Heartbreaking. It gives one insight on the massive suffering that goes unseen and unheard in the lives of not just the Japanese, but people all over the world.
I thank the Lord for this small bit of suffering, so I may pray and seek out those who suffer greatly, 24/7, that they're eyes, ears, and hearts may be opened to accept the love of their Father. I pray for the spiritual health of Japan, that this coming year will be a massive breakthrough in sharing the Gospel to the Japanese. Amen.
On a lighter note, here's some pics of the Aoba Festival I took yesterday!
Really cool to be out and about at a legit Japanese festival! I got to eat Takoyaki (like a pancake with octopus in it) for the first time! My stomach didn't like it, but I sure did!
Before I continue on to further business, I must say that I'm entirely grateful and humbled from all I have received from you. Without your continued donations and prayers, I could not live here in Japan, doing God's work. I cannot thank you all nearly enough!
Although I'm happy to say that I have just enough funds to cover my bills for this month, unfortunately the current amount I receive monthly isn't sustainable for staying here long-term. I wish I could say that I haven't been worried about money, but ever since tax season, it has been a source of stress for me, wondering if I'll have enough for food and rent the next month. Add to the round-trip train tickets to church and school, and things add up very quickly, leaving nearly nothing left over. God has been faithful in money thus far, but I do believe he doesn't want his followers to be consumed by the fear of money. If I had at least $200 more a month, I'd be able to live within my means long term.
Therefore, if there are some of you who have not donated yet, have been thinking of donating, or even know a friend who'd be interested in donating to a missionary, please consider giving a small amount per month, whatever you feel led to give. Anything helps so much. It's so hard and uncomfortable to ask more from others, but God is doing amazing things here in Japan, and I wish to continue to serve him without being afflicted by crippling financial stresses. Once again, thank you all so much for your continued donations and prayers!
Here is a link to my donation page:
https://secure.etransfer.com/EFT/custom/Equipnet/BlockCode/donation1.cfm?d2org=Equipnet&d2tool=SorenHaidri
Have yourselves a wonderful day, and God bless you all! Here's a verse that's dear and close to me:
Hebrews 13:5
"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
'Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.'"
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